Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe counts on van Poppel in the sprints and Florian Lipowitz and Aleksandr Vlasov in the GC

Van Poppel and Welsford started the season well with several stage wins in the Tour Down Under, but the Aussie has now been withdrawn from Paris-Nice. Sports director Patxi Vila is therefore counting on Van Poppel - normally the lead-out man - for the sprints, where he will be supported by his compatriot Mick van Dijke and Irishman Ryan Mullen. Vlasov and Lipowitz are being put forward as potential GC contenders in the Race to the Sun.

Vila analyzes the Paris-Nice route stage by stage. "These stages will help the team and riders get into the rhythm. Strong teamwork will be key to positioning Aleksandr and Florian well for the GC battle," continues Vila. "Although there is still significant climbing to come on the following days, this stage could have a central role to play in the GC battle."

According to the team's sports director, stage five is more like a stage in the Ardennes. "The last two kilometers feature a very steep kicker, which will change the type of winner compared to Stage four. With seven short, punchy categorized climbs and a final climb which ramps up to 18 percent in its steepest section, a selection could also be made here."

"With this demanding parcours in mind, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe is hoping for a strong GC showing with Florian Lipowitz and Aleksandr Vlasov. With riders like Vingegaard, Skjelmose, and Almeida, among others, in the field, however, the competition will be fierce," Vila acknowledges. "Nevertheless, we're up for taking out a strong GC result and, hopefully, a strong showing, Danny van Poppel. So the goal will be a top-five finish in the GC and a stage victory."

Florian Lipowitz
Aleksandr Vlasov
Ryan Mullen
Mick van Dijke
Danny van Poppel
Matteo Sobrero
Ben Zwiehoff